ASA Member Bios

“And I think to myself, what a wonderful world." - Louis Armstrong	Rachel Watson, Chair Waldorf Univ. (IA) At-Large Women's Volleyball Rachel Watson is in her final year of her undergraduate degree at Waldorf University. She is majoring in health promotion and exercise science with minors in biology and psychology. She is apart of the volleyball team on campus and serves as the Chair of her school and the NAIA Association of Student-Athletes, along with Co-Chair for the NAIA Council of Student-Athletes. Aside from athletics, Rachel enjoys volunteering and gaining experiences in community service. When finished with her undergraduate degree, Rachel plans to go to graduate school for occupational therapy and obtain her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.
“Leadership must be likable, affable, cordial, and above all emotional. The fashion of authoritarian leadership is gone. Football[soccer] is about life. You can’t be angry all day.” -Vincente Del Bosque	Zach Terpstra, Vice Chair Trinity Christian (IL) Chicagoland Men's Soccer Zach Terpstra is a fourth-year student-athlete at Trinity Christian College, majoring in both finance and accounting. Zach is an outside back for the Trinity men’s soccer team as well as serving as the vice-chair to the NAIA Association of Student Athletes. Outside of athletics Zach is active in campus life, working for the college’s admissions office as well as being involved with a weekly bible study focused on athletes. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, Zach intends to start his career in public accounting while pursuing his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
"It is what it is." - Nikki Pierce	Maddie Pierce, Executive Secretary William Penn (IA) Heart Softball Madeline Pierce is a senior at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and has been an active member of the Association of Student Athletes for a total of four years and is one of the executive secretaries on the national NAIA ASA. She is majoring in biology, while taking a minor in business, and is a catcher on the William Penn softball team. Outside of the athletics, Madeline dedicates her time to the importance of mental health throughout campus and partakes in fun events around Oskaloosa with her teammates and friends. After obtaining her degree, she will accomplish her goals of working in the agriculture industry while running her show cattle operation back at home.
"Love the life you live. Live the life you love." - Bob Marley	Nya Martinez, Executive Secretary Concordia University - Ann Arbor (MI) Wolverine-Hoosier Cheer Nya Martinez is a fourth-year student-athlete at Concordia University Ann Arbor, majoring in secondary education-social studies. Nya is a member of the Concordia University Competitive Cheerleading Team and serves as the Co-Executive Secretary of the NAIA Association of Student-Athletes. Aside from athletics, Nya is very engaged with student life at her institution serving as President of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team and Vice President of Student Government, where she acts as the voice for various groups on campus. Once she completes her degree, she aspires to be a middle school history teacher.
	Braxton Meguiar Georgia Gwinnett (GA) Continental Baseball Braxton Meguiar is a senior student-athlete at Georgia Gwinnett College. As a second baseman for the baseball team, Braxton was named 2024 second NAIA All-America team selection, earned first All-Continental Athletic Conference team selection and the 2023 CAC Baseball Championship Most Outstanding Player. Outside of baseball, Braxton works in hands-on environments ranging from construction to agriculture work.
"Faith does not make things easy, it makes things possible." - Luke 1:37	Cienna Irwin Soka University of America (CA) California Pacific Women's Soccer Cienna Irwin is a senior student-athlete at Soka University of America, where she is pursuing a degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in social and behavioral sciences. As a dynamic defender and midfielder for Soka’s women’s soccer team, Cienna brings leadership and resilience to every game. Outside of athletics, Cienna has made dean’s list for three consecutive years and spent her last semester studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain. She loves to help young athletes develop as the Youth Soccer Director for FC Riverside Country. Upon graduation, Cienna plans to pursue a master’s in sports administration and leave a lasting legacy in the world of athletics.
"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." – Henry Ford	Cooper Jauz Wayland Baptist (TX) Sooner Baseball Cooper Jauz is a graduate student-athlete at Wayland Baptist University, who graduated with a degree in exercise sports science, and is getting their masters in sports administration. Cooper is an infielder at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, and is a part of the leadership group for the baseball team. Outside of baseball, Cooper also received his teaching certificate in physical education and substitutes at schools in Plainview as well. He is also a part of the Wayland ASA, and the representative of the Sooner Athletic Conference ASA.
"The Lord is my stength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my hear exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." - Psalm 28:7	Emily Till Arizona Christian (AZ) Great Southwest Women's Basketball Emily Till is a third-year student athlete at Arizona Christian University. Emily is majoring in behavioral health, she plans to go into speech language pathology following graduation. Emily holds a 4.0 grade point average in the classroom, and is a valuable player on the women’s basketball team. Emily was the Arizona Christian University conference selection for the 2024 Cliff Hamlow Award. This is awarded to one female athlete on campus that demonstrates athletic, academic, and leadership excellence. As a student-athlete, she is the female president for the student-athlete advisory committee and a student leader for Arizona Christian Young Life. Emily also represents the Great Southwest Athletic Conference at the national level through the NAIA Association of Student-Athletes.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13	Jake Orr Midland University (NE) Great Plains Men's Basketball Jake Orr is a third-year student athlete at Midland University, majoring in finance and data analytics. Jake has been a starting guard on the Men's Basketball team since Freshman year and has served on the team's leadership council for the past two years. Jake enjoys organizing volunteer events for the basketball team, supporting his family and their athletic careers, and golfing with friends. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school and earn his Master's in business administration.
“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming…” - Theodore Roosevelt	Jamison Guerra Oregon Tech (OR) Cascade Men's Basketball Jamison Guerra is a dedicated student-athlete at Oregon Institute of Technology majoring in applied psychology, with minors in medical sociology and communications. Jamison plays on the university's men's basketball team, where he serves as both a team captain and a spokesperson for the program. In addition to his athletic commitments, Jamison works hard to enhance the student-athlete experience on his own campus and across the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC), serving as the Chair of the CCC Association of Student-Athletes. He is also an active member of the NAIA Association of Student-Athletes, contributing to initiatives that benefit athletes at a national level. With a passion for leadership and athletics, Jamison aims to pursue a professional basketball career overseas following graduation, while simultaneously working toward a master’s degree in sports psychology to further his impact on the mental health and performance of athletes.
"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." - Jane Goodall	Jenna Mahoney Bethel College (KS) Kansas Collegiate Women's Tennis Jenna Mahoney is a fourth-year student at Bethel College, majoring in communication arts with a minor in sports management. Specializing in singles, Jenna is a dedicated member of the Bethel College tennis team and serves as the Bethel and KCAC SALT President, serves on the ITA Student-Athlete Council and on the NAIA Association of Student-Athletes. Beyond athletics, Jenna is involved on campus as the Deputy Editor-in-Chief and the Sports Editor of the campus newspaper as well as the Sports Information Office Assistant in the athletic department, where she helps with game day projects and operations duties within athletics. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, Jenna intends to pursue a career in sports communication within college athletics.
"Don't adapt to the energy in the room. Influence the energy in the room." - Usain Bolt	KaLynn Irey Stephens College (MO) American Midwest Women's Basketball KaLynn Irey is a third-year student-athlete at Stephens College, pursuing a major in psychology with a minor in women’s studies. Renowned for her dedication and commitment to the Stephens Stars Basketball team, KaLynn has recently earned notable distinctions including the Stephens College Ideal Student-Athlete Award and the Commitment to Service Award. Additionally, she has been recognized as one of the 2024 Daktronics Scholar-Athletes by the NAIA. Beyond her athletic achievements, KaLynn actively contributes to the campus community as the Secretary of Black Women Enlightened and as one of the four Student Ambassadors at Stephens College. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue a master's degree in sport psychology while continuing to engage in athletic endeavors.
"Live your life worthy of the Gospel of Christ." - Philippians 1:27	Kinley Hogue William Carey (MS) Southern States Softabll Kinley Hogue is a third-year student-athlete at William Carey University, majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. Kinley is a member of the William Carey University softball team as a middle infielder and serves as both the President of the William Carey Association of Student-Athletes, as well as the co-chair for the Southern States Athletic Conference Association of Student-Athletes. She also serves as the national representative for the SSAC on the NAIA Association of Student-Athletes. Outside of athletics, Kinley is involved in working with the special needs community through summer camps, as well as in the special needs ministry through Temple Baptist Church. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, Kinley strives to apply to medical school to pursue a career as a physician.
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Micah 6:8	Laila Eliotti Fisk University (TN) HBCU Women's Basketball Laila Eliotti is a senior student-athlete at Fisk University, majoring in computer science. As a guard on the Fisk Women’s Basketball Team, Laila showcases her leadership skills on the court and in her role as chair of the HBCU Athletic Conference. She is also a dedicated member of the NAIA Association of Student-Athletes. Outside of athletics, Laila is active in the community, mentoring future scholars and leading the Student Elections Committee to help elect the next generation of student leaders. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in technology as a Software Engineer.
"Beloved, if God so loveed us, we also ought to love one another." - 1 John 4:11 ESV	Lincoln Thomae Milligan University (TN) At-Large Men's Basketball Lincoln Thomae is a junior student-athlete at Milligan University, studying Biology along with three minors including: humanities, psychology, and exercise science. As a Milligan University basketball team member, Lincoln is a two-year starter and serves as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Other than athletics, Lincoln is the vice president of FCA on the Milligan campus, a member of the Association for Student Athletes, and a member of an on-campus ministry wherein he leads a Bible study for others. Following the completion of his undergraduate degree, Lincoln intends to apply to a Physician Assistant graduate program with a focus in orthopedic surgery.
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor fosake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6	Marissa Casstevens Milligan Universtiy (TN) Appalachian Softball Marissa Casstevens is a senior student-athlete at Milligan University, studying business administration with a concentration in accounting. As a Milligan University Softball Team member, Marissa is a catcher and serves as the treasurer for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Aside from athletics, Marissa is an office personnel and tour guide for the campus admissions office where she handles applications and greets students for their campus visit. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, Marissa intends to apply to a Master of Business Administration program to work towards a career in finance.
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I though as a chail: bnut when I became a man, I put away childsih things." - 1 Corinthians 13:11	Mason Browning Rocky Mountain College (MT) Frontier Football Mason Browning is a dedicated fifth-year student-athlete at Rocky Mountain College (RMC), excelling both on and off the field. Mason, a captain of the football team and a three-time Frontier Conference Academic All-Conference player, serves as a member of the NAIA Association of Student-Athletes and is currently the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at RMC. Mason is also a LEAP mentor and Student Ambassador, aiding new students with their adjustment to college life while playing a key role with school faculty. Beyond athletics, Mason is a published peer-reviewed author in the Journal of Exercise and Nutrition and is actively conducting ongoing research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he spent two years in Cape Verde, serving as a liaison between the American, Brazilian, and Cape Verdean consulates. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Badiu-Cape Verdean Creole, Mason’s multilingual skills and dedication highlight his drive for excellence, reflecting his strong work ethic and passion for making a positive impact. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Mason intends to apply to medical school and progress toward a career in psychiatry, continuing his commitment to a life of service.
	Tiarra Tillison LSU-S (LA) Red River Women's Basketball